Environment: Ecosystem Pressure

The last variable of study in the environment criterion within the GSG scenarios is Ecosystem Pressure. The authors use three indicators as proxy for these processes: rate of deforestation, the rate of land degradation and the extent of over fishing. The aim within the Policy reform scenario was to reach zero rates by 2025 and increasing forestation by 2050. Fishing needs to be curtailed too let the world's fish stock to rebuild themselves to healthy levels.
We seem to be still in the reference scenario in majority of the world as evidenced by the mass deforestation of the Amazon forests in Brazil for soyabean farming or the decreasing fish stocks almost everywhere. The recent fine to France by the EU for persistent overfishing is an indication that pretty much status quo is being maintained and that the pressures on the ecosystem is increasing daily due to increased population and industrialization of a number of developing countries. More effort is needed in R&D to achieve agricultural efficiency to reverse this trend and at the same time sustain the development of the world.